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Urban Transit for Livable Cities

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4.3

Based on 12 ratings

, see reviews

Vukan Vuchic

The goal of urban transit is to achieve an intermodal transportation balance. Ideally, each mode is used in its optimal role, in order to create a people-friendly environment. But how exactly can that be accomplished?

This course will cover examples from different cities and countries; comparing their physical characteristics, transportation policies, and evaluations of their strengths and weaknesses. Learners interested in transportation engineering and city planning will gain expert insight into the critical role transit services have on the character of the city and quality of life.

Read more

The goal of urban transit is to achieve an intermodal transportation balance. Ideally, each mode is used in its optimal role, in order to create a people-friendly environment. But how exactly can that be accomplished?

This course will cover examples from different cities and countries; comparing their physical characteristics, transportation policies, and evaluations of their strengths and weaknesses. Learners interested in transportation engineering and city planning will gain expert insight into the critical role transit services have on the character of the city and quality of life.

Urban Transit is designed for transportation engineers, city planners, and general city planning enthusiasts. It’s also well-suited for graduate and advanced undergraduate students of transportation, civil, environmental, mechanical, electrical and systems engineering, business administration, economics, and architecture.

The course is taught by Vukan R. Vuchic, PhD, Emeritus Professor of Transportation Systems Engineering at the University of Pennsylvania. Dr. Vuchic has consulted on cities for government agencies and locations around the world.

What's inside

Learning objectives

Understand technical and operational characteristics of transit systems
Review efficient operations of bus and rail transit modes

Explore role and impact of bus, transit, and rail on a city’s livability
Describe policies to create balance between transit, cars, and pedestrians and other modes

Understand technical and operational characteristics of transit systems
Review efficient operations of bus and rail transit modes
Explore role and impact of bus, transit, and rail on a city’s livability
Describe policies to create balance between transit, cars, and pedestrians and other modes

Syllabus

Course Outline

Week 1 - Cities and Transportation: Evolution of Transport Modes

Week 2 - Highway Transit: Buses, Trolleybuses, BRT/BHLS and Paratransit

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Traffic lights

Read about what's good

what should give you pause

and possible dealbreakers

Explores transit systems used in cities worldwide, providing insight for city planning and transportation engineering students

Taught by Vukan Vuchic, Emeritus Professor of Transportation Systems Engineering at the University of Pennsylvania, who has consulted on cities for government agencies and locations around the world

Covers efficient operations of bus and rail transit modes, reviewing technical and operational characteristics of transit systems

Examines policies to create balance between transit, cars, and pedestrians and other modes, which is highly relevant to city planning and urban transportation

Suitable for transportation engineers, city planners, and general city planning enthusiasts, offering insights into the role of transit services in shaping urban environments and quality of life

Requires students to come in with extensive background knowledge, which may be a barrier to entry for some learners

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Reviews summary

Urban transit: masterful insight for city planning

According to students, this course offers an exceptionally comprehensive and insightful understanding of urban transit systems, particularly valuable for professionals and advanced students in fields like city planning and transportation engineering. Learners consistently laud the instructor's unparalleled expertise and authority, describing Dr. Vuchic's lectures as gold mines of information drawing on decades of global experience. While the content is widely considered foundational and essential, some feedback suggests the production quality and visual aids might feel dated. There's also a discussion around the course's balance, with some wishing for more hands-on or interactive elements, as it primarily offers a deep theoretical overview.

Some learners desire more practical, hands-on application.

"I was hoping for more hands-on strategies for city planning, but this course felt overly academic."

"I would have appreciated more practical 'how-to' applications or perhaps a small project to apply the concepts."

"It felt like a long series of academic presentations without much engagement, despite the great content."

Highly relevant for city planners and transportation engineers.

"It's a foundational course every city planner and transportation engineer should take."

"Highly recommended for professionals. The emphasis on intermodal balance is well-articulated."

"The course changed how I view public transportation and its societal impact. Essential for anyone in civil engineering or urban studies."

Provides a strong, foundational understanding of urban transit.

"This course is an absolute masterpiece for anyone serious about urban transit. It provides a comprehensive understanding..."

"A very thorough course that covers the critical aspects of urban transit systems. The depth provided on various rail and bus transit modes is excellent."

"The course seamlessly blends historical context with current challenges, offering a holistic view of transportation's role in urban development."

Taught by a 'living legend' with unparalleled knowledge.

"Dr. Vuchic's lectures are gold mines of information, delivered with unparalleled authority and clarity."

"Dr. Vuchic is an incredible instructor. His global experience truly shines through, offering a holistic view."

"Fantastic course for anyone serious about the impact of transportation... Dr. Vuchic's encyclopedic knowledge makes every minute engaging."

Visuals and case studies may appear older or need updating.

"My only suggestion for improvement would be to update some of the older case studies or visual examples..."

"The lectures, while informative, relied heavily on older visual aids and lacked dynamic presentation."

"The course has valuable information, but it feels like it hasn't been updated in a while. Some examples look dated."

Activities

Be better prepared before your course. Deepen your understanding during and after it. Supplement your coursework and achieve mastery of the topics covered in Urban Transit for Livable Cities with these activities:

Organize and Review Course Resources

Show steps

Consolidate and review course materials regularly to enhance understanding and retention.

Show steps

Identify areas for further study or clarification
Compile notes, assignments, quizzes, and exams
Summarize key concepts and insights

Review math skills

Show steps

Practice math problems.

Browse courses on Linear Algebra

Show steps

Review basic math concepts
Practice solving math problems

Attend Industry Webinars and Conferences

Show steps

Engage with professionals in the field to gain insights, make connections, and stay updated on industry trends.

Show steps

Identify relevant industry webinars and conferences
Register and participate in live events or access recordings
Connect with speakers and attendees

One other activity

Expand to see all activities and additional details

Show all four activities

Contribute to Transit Advocacy Organizations

Show steps

Gain practical experience and contribute to improving transit systems by volunteering with local advocacy groups.

Show steps

Identify local transit advocacy organizations
Contact the organizations and express interest in volunteering
Participate in campaigns, events, and outreach activities

Career center

Learners who complete Urban Transit for Livable Cities will develop knowledge and skills that may be useful to these careers:

Transportation Engineer

Transportation Engineers are responsible for planning, designing, and maintaining transportation systems, including roads, highways, bridges, and public transit systems. This course would be helpful for Transportation Engineers because it will provide them with a comprehensive understanding of urban transit systems, including their technical and operational characteristics, as well as their impact on the livability of cities. This knowledge will help Transportation Engineers to design and implement transit systems that are efficient, effective, and sustainable.

See salaries and explore the career path for Transportation Engineer

Civil Engineer

Civil Engineers design and build infrastructure projects, such as roads, bridges, tunnels, and water supply systems. This course would be helpful for Civil Engineers because it will provide them with a comprehensive understanding of urban transit systems, including their technical and operational characteristics, as well as their impact on the livability of cities. This knowledge will help Civil Engineers to design and build transit systems that are efficient, effective, and sustainable.

See salaries and explore the career path for Civil Engineer

Urban Planner

Urban Planners develop plans for the use of land and resources in cities and towns. This course would be helpful for Urban Planners because it will provide them with a comprehensive understanding of urban transit systems, including their technical and operational characteristics, as well as their impact on the livability of cities. This knowledge will help Urban Planners to develop plans that promote the use of transit and create more livable cities.

See salaries and explore the career path for Urban Planner

Transportation Planner

Transportation Planners develop plans for the movement of people and goods within a city or region. This course would be helpful for Transportation Planners because it will provide them with a comprehensive understanding of urban transit systems, including their technical and operational characteristics, as well as their impact on the livability of cities. This knowledge will help Transportation Planners to develop plans that promote the use of transit and create more livable cities.

See salaries and explore the career path for Transportation Planner

Public Transit Manager

Public Transit Managers oversee the operation of public transit systems, including buses, trains, and ferries. This course would be helpful for Public Transit Managers because it will provide them with a comprehensive understanding of urban transit systems, including their technical and operational characteristics, as well as their impact on the livability of cities. This knowledge will help Public Transit Managers to operate transit systems that are efficient, effective, and sustainable.

See salaries and explore the career path for Public Transit Manager

Sustainability Manager

Sustainability Managers develop and implement plans to reduce the environmental impact of organizations and communities. This course would be helpful for Sustainability Managers because it will provide them with a comprehensive understanding of urban transit systems, including their environmental impact and their role in creating more sustainable cities. This knowledge will help Sustainability Managers to develop and implement plans that promote the use of transit and reduce the environmental impact of transportation.

See salaries and explore the career path for Sustainability Manager

Environmental Engineer

Environmental Engineers design and implement solutions to environmental problems, such as air and water pollution and climate change. This course may be helpful for Environmental Engineers because it will provide them with a comprehensive understanding of urban transit systems, including their environmental impact and their role in creating more sustainable cities. This knowledge will help Environmental Engineers to design and implement solutions that promote the use of transit and reduce the environmental impact of transportation.

See salaries and explore the career path for Environmental Engineer

Architect

Architects design and construct buildings and other structures. This course may be helpful for Architects because it will provide them with a comprehensive understanding of urban transit systems, including their impact on the design and construction of buildings and other structures. This knowledge will help Architects to design buildings and structures that are accessible to transit users and that promote the use of transit.

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Landscape Architect

Landscape Architects design outdoor spaces, such as parks, gardens, and plazas. This course may be helpful for Landscape Architects because it will provide them with a comprehensive understanding of urban transit systems, including their impact on the design and construction of outdoor spaces. This knowledge will help Landscape Architects to design outdoor spaces that are accessible to transit users and that promote the use of transit.

See salaries and explore the career path for Landscape Architect

Public Policy Analyst

Public Policy Analysts research and analyze public policy issues and make recommendations for policy changes. This course may be helpful for Public Policy Analysts because it will provide them with a comprehensive understanding of urban transit systems, including their impact on the economy, the environment, and the social fabric of cities. This knowledge will help Public Policy Analysts to develop and analyze public policies that promote the use of transit and create more livable cities.

See salaries and explore the career path for Public Policy Analyst

Urban Designer

Urban Designers plan and design cities and towns. This course may be helpful for Urban Designers because it will provide them with a comprehensive understanding of urban transit systems, including their impact on the design and development of cities and towns. This knowledge will help Urban Designers to design cities and towns that are accessible to transit users and that promote the use of transit.

See salaries and explore the career path for Urban Designer

Transportation Economist

Transportation Economists analyze the economic impact of transportation systems and policies. This course may be helpful for Transportation Economists because it will provide them with a comprehensive understanding of urban transit systems, including their economic impact and their role in creating more sustainable cities. This knowledge will help Transportation Economists to analyze the economic impact of transportation systems and policies and to develop policies that promote the use of transit and create more livable cities.

See salaries and explore the career path for Transportation Economist

Reading list

We've selected eight books that we think will supplement your learning. Use these to develop background knowledge, enrich your coursework, and gain a deeper understanding of the topics covered in Urban Transit for Livable Cities.

Cover image

Cover image

Save

Offers a collection of research articles and case studies on the impact of public transportation on the livability of different cities, and useful reference for those interested in the topic.

Urban Transit: Operations, Planning, and Economics

Cover image

Cover image

Save

Focuses on understanding the role of transportation in creating livable and sustainable urban environments.

Cover image

Cover image

Handbook of Farm, Dairy, and Food Machinery

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This handbook offers comprehensive coverage of transportation engineering, including chapters on transit operations and planning.

Handbook of Farm, Dairy, and Food Machinery

Handbook of Farm, Dairy, and Food Machinery

Cover image

Cover image

Save

Provides a solid overview of the basics of transportation planning and systems, including public transportation, and is commonly used as a textbook or supplementary resource in transportation and civil engineering classes.

Traffic Theory (International Series in Operations...

Traffic Theory (International Series in Operations...

Cover image

Cover image

Transportation Engineering

Save

This textbook, used at many universities, is an excellent resource for those new to transportation engineering and can provide helpful background information for this course.

Transportation Engineering

Transportation Engineering

Cover image

Cover image

The Texas Triangle

Save

A classic work that explores the livability of cities and neighborhoods, with implications for transportation planning.

The Texas Triangle: An Emerging Power in the Global...

The Texas Triangle: An Emerging Power in the Global...

Cover image

Cover image

Transportation Planning Handbook

Save

A guidebook with detailed information on transit capacity and quality of service issues, which can serve as a technical reference for students or professionals.

Transportation Planning Handbook

Transportation Planning Handbook

Cover image

Cover image

Statistical Abstract of the United States

Save

A valuable source for statistics and data on transportation in the United States, particularly for those interested in the context of urban transit.

Statistical Abstract of the United States, 2011...

Statistical Abstract of the United States, 2012

Statistical Abstract of the United States, 2011...

Statistical Abstract of the United States, 2011...

Statistical Abstract of the United States, 1988...

Statistical Abstract of the United States, 1963...

Statistical Abstract of the United States, 1907,...

Statistical Abstract of the United States 2008: The...

Statistical Abstract of the United States, 1935:...

Statistical Abstract of the United States, 1931,...

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Course image

Rating

4.3

Effort

3 to 6 hours per week for 8 weeks

Level

Intermediate

Via

edX

Institution

University of Pennsylvania

Instructor

Vukan Vuchic

Language

English

Transcript

English

Traffic lights

Read about what's good

what should give you pause

and possible dealbreakers

Explores transit systems used in cities worldwide, providing insight for city planning and transportation engineering students

Taught by Vukan Vuchic, Emeritus Professor of Transportation Systems Engineering at the University of Pennsylvania, who has consulted on cities for government agencies and locations around the world

Covers efficient operations of bus and rail transit modes, reviewing technical and operational characteristics of transit systems

Examines policies to create balance between transit, cars, and pedestrians and other modes, which is highly relevant to city planning and urban transportation

Suitable for transportation engineers, city planners, and general city planning enthusiasts, offering insights into the role of transit services in shaping urban environments and quality of life

Requires students to come in with extensive background knowledge, which may be a barrier to entry for some learners

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